The Traveler’s Guide to Driving in Hungary

Hungary has a beautiful landscape, some amazing architecture, and plenty of attractions to keep visitors wanting to keep returning. Some of the places that you may want to visit on your vacation include the Benedictine Abbey Church in the village of Tihany, Memento Park, and the Great Synagogue. Eger Castle, Castle Hill, and a cruise along the Danube might be in order as well.

Renting a car in Hungary

Foreign drivers will need to have their original driver’s license, as well as an international driver’s permit to drive in Hungary. The minimum age to drive in the country is 18. When you rent a vehicle, you need to have third party insurance. Vehicles are required to have spare headlamp bulbs, a warning triangle, reflective jacket, and a first aid kit. When you rent your car, check to see that the rental agency has included these items in the vehicle. You should also get the contact information, including an emergency number for the rental agency.

Foreign drivers should always have their original license, international driver’s permit, passport, and rental documents available in the car. This includes insurance information.

Road condition and safety

The condition of the roads in Hungary varies. In populated areas, such as around Budapest, they are in good condition with few potholes or other issues. When you head to the rural areas though, the quality of the roads can diminish in some locations. The drivers in Hungary tend to follow the laws of the road. It is still a good idea to drive defensively and to be aware of what the drivers around you are doing.

Drivers are not allowed to use cell phones when they are driving unless they have a hands-free system. The driver and all of the passengers are required to wear seatbelts. Parking is allowed on the right side of two-way streets, and on both sides of one-way streets. Yellow lines on the roadside mean no stopping.

In Hungary, you will drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. When you are driving outside of the urban areas, you need to have your headlights on low during the daylight hours. Drivers need to give way to public transportation. Drivers are only allowed to use their horns when in extreme danger.

If you are going to be driving on any of the motorways, you will need to have a sticker, which you can get at gas stations. There are several roads that require this sticker, also called a vignette.